Proposed legislation to impact record-high prison population

Legislators and state officials reportedly are seeking a compromise that would merge corrections-related bills that are sure to impact Ohio's overcrowded prisons, according a Dec. 4, 2008, article in the Columbus Dispatch. As currently written, the bills' anticipated results contrast sharply.

On one hand, House Bill 130 would help deflate the state's prisoner count. This week marks a new record-high of 51,261. About one year ago, the prison population hit a historic 50,000.

"We believe and certainly hope that it will have hearings shortly during the lame-duck session," [ Terry] Collins said [of the House bill]. "We continue to believe it's an important measure to make our re-entry programs more effective and to give judges more sentencing options."

Senate Bill 73, however, includes measures that would crack down on cocaine-related offenses and likely pump up the prison population. State officials estimate that this move, reported in today's Columbus Dispatch, could increase Ohio's annual budget by $25 million.